Sunday Night, March 8th, 2026. 11:04 PM.
March 8, 2026
The 15th Day of Ashley
An Imaginary Story
I’m walking to the supermarket. And walking toward me is a young woman. She is Ashley. I’m not sure of this, though – because we only met once – and once was not enough for me to memorize her face. When we get close, I just say, “Hi.” And she glances at me and replies, “Hi.” I immediately begin wondering if she is Ashley. I turn around as she passes me and say, “Excuse me, please. I just have to ask you something.” She turns and says, “What is it that you wish to ask me ?” I say, “Are you Ashley whom I met on February 22nd – the day of the blizzard?” She answers, “Yes, I am. Are you Mark ?”
Mark: “Yes, Ashley. I am.”
Ashley: “That was about two weeks ago. How are things going with you, Mark ?”
Mark: “I’ve been thinking of you, Ashley, every day since we first met – at your pup tent near Bouley Field.”
Ashley: “Why, Mark?”
Mark: “That hour we spent together, Ashley, was the most special time in all my life.”
Ashley: “Why, Mark?”
Mark: “Because of you, Ashley.”
Ashley: “What about me, Mark?”
Mark: “Your presence is lovely to me, Ashley. It’s like that hymn: “Your Presence Is Heaven to me.” I’d really like to spend another hour with you – like we did that day – please? May I have a cup of tea with you again ? I’ll buy you lunch – if you’d like ?”
Ashley: “Is that all you want to have with me, Mark – just a cup tea ?”
Mark: “When I’m with you, Ashley, I’m having much more than a cup of tea.”
Ashley: “What else are you having, Mark ?”
Mark: I’m having the time of my life, Ashley – whenever I’m with you. It’s different for me, though – not like the famous song-and-dance. It’s spiritual. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. It’s just lovely to me to be in your presence and alone in conversation with you. And to be the only one you’re with – even if we’re in a restaurant and other people are there, too. It’s still just you and me. And that is so special to me – to be the center of your attention – just as you are the center of my attention, Ashley.”
Ashley: “What do you remember about my appearance that day, Mark ?”
Mark: “You wore a beige winter coat – the same color as mine. Your hair was dark blonde and long. You were not wearing a hat. You appeared to be about two inches taller than me. You were alert. You had a phone in your hand – and an e-cigarette. You weren’t smoking, though.”
Mark's Imaginings 